15th Royal Wedding Anniversary: Bread of Heaven in Corfu!

 

29th April 2011

Hello, and welcome! 

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are enjoying your week! In my post: Springtime: Praising God's Creations in Corfu! I shared that after living in Athens, I was in Corfu waiting to bring my cat Charlie back to Wales. (See blog: Blogger: Posts) I was staying in the resort of San Stefanos NW - the place I set my novel Angel at the Paradise Hotel - see my post for more info about this.  

During that time I started writing articles for a great site World-wide Bible studies.org founded by a wonderful Christian preacher, Teresa Ortiz. The site had thousands of readers each day and I loved writing for them. My posts were based on my day-to-day life at that time, in San Stefanos, and as such give a tour and a flavour of the backdrop of Angel at the Paradise Hotel.

As a trip down memory lane here is the Fourth of those articles: This one centres on  the Royal wedding between the then Kate Middleton and Prince William. Today, the couple, now known as the Prince and Princess of Wales, celebrate their 15th Wedding Anniversary. If you enjoyed their wedding you can picture it from another  angle today: from a television screen in Corfu. Enjoy!   

29th April 2011

Royal Wedding, Wales, and Manna from Heaven: Be the best you can be! (Matt. 5:48)

With one week to go before my repatriation from Corfu back to Wales, I sat glued to the television in my apartment watching the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. The pomp and ceremony made for a stark contrast with my window view of calm blue sea and bright sunshine.

With Wales strongly on my mind I was delighted when the first hymn was Cwm Rhondda, Wales’ (unofficial) second National Anthem, known in English as Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, but more often called Bread of Heaven (Exodus 16:4). The hymn featured in the 1941 Academy Award winning film, How Green Was My Valley – rumoured to have been centred on the mining village of Gilfach Goch. The title stemmed from the fact that the valley had once been green and beautiful but was then marred by black slag heaps (the by-product of the coalmining industry piled as high as hillocks). Now though, the mines are long closed and the valley is once again verdant and lovely. And…Gilfach Goch was soon to be my new home! My heart beat a little faster as I sang along:

Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

(I later learnt that the hymn had also been sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 which I found poignant.)

I enjoyed the wedding ceremony as it unfolded. Apart from the happy occasion itself I was especially pleased to hear the name of Jesus Christ and the tenants of Christianity spoken to an estimated (record breaking) live audience of some 2 billion souls around the world. The first reading was taken from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans, chapter 12. The words from verse 9 “Let love be genuine” stood out for me. And that seemed to shine from the couple. I lip-read as the newly weds settled themselves into their open-topped carriage on the way back to Buckingham Palace. The bride politely said, “Thank you,” as the bridegroom handed back her bouquet after she had settled her dress. “I’m so happy,” she murmured to him as the carriage moved forwards. Then she asked solicitously, “Are you okay?” The bridegroom grinned broadly and she beamed back at him. It was a very sweet moment. I pray that they will have a long and happy life together. (Proverbs 3.5,6)

Wishing the couple a very Happy Wedding Anniversary! And wishing you a very happy day.   

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Find more inspiration through my books:  

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

A great review: In this practical book, author Teresa O’Driscoll suggests that while formal prayers are a foundation of our faith life, these tend to be one-way communications. Our relationship with God can be deepened further, she writes, by having conversations with him — we tell God what is on our minds and then we listen to his response. Pray Then Listen is the result of one such conversation.

Günther Simmermacher editor of  Southern Cross Magazine Australia

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

A great endorsement: 

Take this book down to the beach in the morning, and I guarantee when you return sunburnt to your room at the end of the day you will see no one around you, from waiters to fellow holidaymakers, in the same way. The characters seeking escape amidst the idyllic beauty of Corfu never manage to shake off the problems they have run from, while O’Driscoll beautifully captures the intrigues of a tightly knit traditional Greek community.

Donald Finnaeus Mayo, author of The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal and Francesca

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Here's a great review: I was ill for a couple of years and had a great loss in my life. This book brought so much peace to me and even though I had been angry with God and blamed him for all my troubles, I found my way back to my relationship with him.

Rose Barrett Wilkinson

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

Trusting God in beautiful Corfu!

 

Hello, and welcome! 

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are haing a great weekend! In my post: Springtime: Praising God's Creations in Corfu! I shared that after living in Athens, I was in Corfu waiting to bring my cat Charlie back to Wales. (See blog: Blogger: Posts) I was staying in the resort of San Stefanos NW - the place I set my novel Angel at the Paradise Hotel - see my post for more info about this.  

During that time I started writing for a great site World-wide Bible studies.org founded by a wonderful Christian preacher, Teresa Ortiz. The site had thousands of readers each day and I loved writing for them. My posts were based on my day-to-day life at that time, in San Stefanos, and as such give a tour and a flavour of the backdrop of Angel at the Paradise Hotel.

As a trip down memory lane here is the Third of those articles. I hope  you enjoy escaping to Corfu and experiencing a different side of it for a few minutes as much as I have...  

Snow-white Lilies Inspiring Trust in God: Be the best you can be! (Matt. 5:48) 

It is no longer winter. No matter that the wind blows strongly and dilutes the warmth of the sun. It does not change a thing. It is spring, going-on summer, and my cocooned sojourn on the island of Corfu is almost at an end. I feel it is the right moment to take a little time out from my projects to look backwards to see how far I have come in the last 20 or so years in Greece. To do so, I will head for the hills for a little communing with God in nature. 

 I set out for a leisurely stroll up and around the pathways in the green rises above the resort. The wildflowers that have been brightening the byways the whole winter – fragile in appearance yet tough in reality - are now handing the task of decoration over to the trees.

The almond was the first to put out tender shell-pink petals, soon followed by the golden counterpoint of forsythia. But as we near Easter it is the Judas tree, thickly stippled with cerise flowers, that brightens the landscape. That tree is so called here because the Greeks say that it was on it that Judas hung himself [Mat. 27:5] and that the tree blushed for shame – hence its colour.

As I walked I spied the occasional stand of tall snow-white lilies. (I have never seen these grow wild before, didn’t know they did, but they are all over the island.) These always remind me of when I had made my decision to take a career break in 1992 to focus on my writing. (I never went back to that job!) I had been worrying about money but in my mind Jesus’ words, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” [Mat. 6:28-29] And I knew that one way or another the funds would come to keep body and soul together. They did… I now live in hope that things will come together when I return home to Wales. I ask for your prayers. I look forward to posting some Bible-based thoughts from Gilfach Goch in the near future.

I wonder if Jesus' quote about lilies has helped you through a tough decision. I'd love to hear about it if you'd like to share.  

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Find more inspiration through my books:  

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

A great review: 

I am being blessed by Pray Then Listen. It has become a valued part of my prayer time.

Pauline Lewis, author of Freya’s Fragrance and the Dark Stranger

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

A great endorsement: 

Take this book down to the beach in the morning, and I guarantee when you return sunburnt to your room at the end of the day you will see no one around you, from waiters to fellow holidaymakers, in the same way. The characters seeking escape amidst the idyllic beauty of Corfu never manage to shake off the problems they have run from, while O’Driscoll beautifully captures the intrigues of a tightly knit traditional Greek community.

Donald Finnaeus Mayo, author of The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal and Francesca

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Here's a great review: I was ill for a couple of years and had a great loss in my life. This book brought so much peace to me and even though I had been angry with God and blamed him for all my troubles, I found my way back to my relationship with him.

Rose Barrett Wilkinson

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

Beach and Prayer: Overcoming worry in Corfu!

 

 Hello and Welcome! 

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are keeping well. In my post: Springtime: Praising God's Creations in Corfu! I shared that after living in Athens, I was in Corfu waiting to bring my cat Charlie back to Wales. (See blog: Blogger: Posts) I was staying in the resort of San Stefanos NW - the place I set my novel Angel at the Paradise Hotel - see my post for more info about this.  

During that time I started writing for a great site World-wide Bible studies.org founded by a wonderful Christian preacher, Teresa Ortiz. The site had thousands of readers each day and I loved writing for them. My posts were based on my day-to-day life at that time, in San Stefanos, and as such give a tour and a flavour of the backdrop of Angel at the Paradise Hotel.

As a trip down memory here is the second of those articles. I hope  you find a little inspiration in it... 

Friendship, Seaside, and Christ for Strength: Be the best you can be! (Matt. 5:48)

I awoke feeling vaguely uneasy though the day was bright and sunny and I was happy to still be on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu. The feeling grew though until I acknowledged that I was fearful of the next stage in my life; of going back to Britain after living abroad for almost two decades. Gilly, a dear friend, texted me at that point asking how I was. I replied positively then asked: But am I in the eye of the storm?

I knew that it was time for me to walk, pray and think.

As I strolled along the deserted sandy beach I remembered Christ’s instructions in the Sermon on the Mount on the futility of worrying: “…do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.” (Matt. 6:34) I looked around and tried to savour the splendour of the moment. Paddling along the water’s edge in my wellingtons I watched a lone seagull gliding in tall blue skies. Its graceful motion was soothing.  

As I neared the end of the long beach - punctuated by a high sandstone cliff, which I noticed for the first time was shaped just like a cowboy boot - I was feeling better. Straight ahead over a few kilometres of calm petrol-blue sea, the snow-capped mountains of Albania showed faintly through a haze formed by the warm sun kissing the icy water. 

I turned back and retraced my steps. A light wind was now blowing on my face and forming white lace at the sea’s edge. It put me in mind of when Elijah, hiding in a cave in fear for his life was visited by God in a gentle breeze to strengthen and guide him. (1 Kings 19:11&12) I took comfort from that. 

 Approaching the end of my walk I suddenly thought, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Ph. 4:13) I resolved to enjoy the day and work diligently at my projects knowing that God was with me always, helping and guiding me. And that through Jesus I would be able to adapt and cope with everything in my life, including repatriation.

When I arrived home Gilly sent me another text, beginning with: “Philippians 4:13J…” How cool is that! Symfonia (one accord) as the Greeks say. God bless Gilly for her friendship in Christ! Godly friends give good advice. (Pr 12:26)

It is wonderful having Christian friends who know just what to say when you need a spiritual lift. If you've any stories to share on this topic please do get in touch.   

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Find more inspiration through my books:  

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

A great review: So often, people tell me they have no idea how to connect with God through prayer, and finding simple resources for them is difficult. Pray Then Listen can be just such a resource, particularly for new Christians or those seeking a change in their approach to prayer.

John Backman, writer and spiritual director, Why Can’t We Talk? Christian Wisdom on Dialogue as a Habit of the Heart

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

A great endorsement: 

Take this book down to the beach in the morning, and I guarantee when you return sunburnt to your room at the end of the day you will see no one around you, from waiters to fellow holidaymakers, in the same way. The characters seeking escape amidst the idyllic beauty of Corfu never manage to shake off the problems they have run from, while O’Driscoll beautifully captures the intrigues of a tightly knit traditional Greek community.

Donald Finnaeus Mayo, author of The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal and Francesca

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Here's a great review: I was ill for a couple of years and had a great loss in my life. This book brought so much peace to me and even though I had been angry with God and blamed him for all my troubles, I found my way back to my relationship with him.

Rose Barrett Wilkinson

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

Springtime: Praising God's Creations in Corfu!

 

Bluebells in my Welsh garden

Hello, and welcome! 

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you are keeping well and enjoying the Easter season. This morning I remembered that this time some years ago, after living in Athens, I was in Corfu waiting to bring my cat Charlie back to Wales. (See blog: Blogger: Posts) I was staying in the resort of San Stefanos NW - the place I set my novel Angel at the Paradise Hotel - see my post for more info about this.  

During that time I started writing for a great site World-wide Bible studies.org founded by a wonderful Christian preacher, Teresa Ortiz. The site had thousands of readers each day and I loved writing for them. (The site unfortunately disappeared and I never knew why.) My posts were based on my day-to-day life at that time, in San Stefanos, and as such give a tour and a flavour of the backdrop of Angel at the Paradise Hotel.

As a trip down memory I decided to post a few of the articles on this blog. So, here is the first one, which is apt as I wrote it in springtime. I hope it makes you smile... 

Wildflowers, Blueprints, and the Glory of God: Be the best you can be! (Matt. 5:48)

Currently wintering on the Greek island of Corfu I have delighted in the profusion of wild flowers. These have brightened my walks since my arrival in January. Beside pathways the grass is dotted with delicate pinks, tall buttercups, snowy daisies, and iris-like sea orchids - to name but a few. I cannot resist making posies of them and the tables in my apartment are strewn with confetti-like fallen petals.  

The island is very green due to copious winter rains. These are sometimes swept in on strong winds which beat down the weakest of the flora. But in a day or two, against all odds, they rise up again. This puts me in mind of Christ’s Resurrection; especially apt at this time of Lent. (Matt. 28) 

During my walks I am constantly praising God for His creations. Recognizing Him in this way has been an increasing part of my spiritual development, and one that I use in my work. As St Paul said, “Ever since God created the world, His invisible qualities, both His eternal power and His divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made.” (Rm.1:20) I find that this way of praise also helps me towards the – admittedly tough – goal of praying without ceasing (1Th.5:16-18)

When I look at the various species of plants, flowers, trees and bushes I cannot help but wonder afresh at Creation. I remember the Book of Exodus, where God instructed Moses on how to build Him a sanctuary; a dwelling place to live with His chosen people. “You will make it all according to the design… which I will now give you.” (25:9) Then we glimpse the mind of the Master Creator at work! “You must make me an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. You will overlay it, inside and out, with pure gold and make a gold moulding all round it.” (25:10) And so, as I look at nature, marvelling at the variety of shapes and sizes and colours, I find myself thinking about the blueprints that God might have made in order to bring them into being.

All around us there are golden opportunities to “Praise the name of the Lord”. (Ps. 148:13)

If you wondered what Corfu is like in springtime I hope you enjoyed that taster. 

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Find more inspiration through my books:  

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

A great review: I am being blessed by Pray Then Listen. It has become a valued part of my prayer time.

Pauline Lewis, author of Freya’s Fragrance and the Dark Stranger

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

A great endorsement: 

Take this book down to the beach in the morning, and I guarantee when you return sunburnt to your room at the end of the day you will see no one around you, from waiters to fellow holidaymakers, in the same way. The characters seeking escape amidst the idyllic beauty of Corfu never manage to shake off the problems they have run from, while O’Driscoll beautifully captures the intrigues of a tightly knit traditional Greek community.

Donald Finnaeus Mayo, author of The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal and Francesca

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Here's a great review: I was ill for a couple of years and had a great loss in my life. This book brought so much peace to me and even though I had been angry with God and blamed him for all my troubles, I found my way back to my relationship with him.

Rose Barrett Wilkinson

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

Beach read anyone? Angel at the Paradise Hotel!

 Hello and Welcome! 

Wherever you are in the world thanks so much for stopping by! I'm in the UK where we are enjoying summer. If you are too, and looking for a 'summer read with soul' why not grab my novel Angel at the Paradise Hotel. It's perfect to read either on the beach, or if you wish you were on a beach! If though, you live in other time zones, like my friends in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, and your weather is a bit cool and cloudy why not curl up with Angel at the Paradise Hotel for a touch of sunshine, and, a sprinkle of hope! 

Angel at the Paradise Hotel is Christian fiction - (wholesome!) romance / suspense. In it I conjure up the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. I chose to make the book entertaining yet thought-provoking. 

What's the novel about?

When tourism transforms a fishing village on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu, old hatred, envy and greed threaten to tear the community apart. Behind the scenes, personal demons fuel division while guardian angels battle to neutralize their influence.

Hotelier Jason - planning to get rich - ruthlessly chases his goal, unaware of the trouble and danger he is stirring up. Three visitors from Ireland, America, and Wales bring their own problems. Clare, running from a broken relationship, is drawn into a love triangle with Jason. Aeron, battling a mid-life crisis, is closer to despair than he realizes - while Bethany, jolted by a Big Birthday into doing a Shirley Valentine, is hoping it will sort her life out.

As the sizzling summer unfolds, each faces make-or-break challenges. Extra help is at hand though, with the arrival of Gabriella, angel of Greece. When meddling demons prevail, and smouldering greed and vengeance reach flashpoint, can she avert disaster? 

"Angel at the Paradise Hotel is an inspiring, touching and moving novel for the ages, generating faith, optimism, and, above all, hope. A very enjoyable read, which I highly recommend!" Georges N. Chamchoum, Emmy and multiple award-winning film director and producer

As this is a Christian novel set in Corfu it is threaded with Greek Orthodox practices - in a deliberately light, yet informative way.  Those of you familiar with the Greek lifestyle will recognise them, and others will learn. Greeks involve God in their whole life. For instance, when they open a new business, say, a shop, office, taverna, whatever, they invite a priest to come along and give it a blessing, and make an occasion of it. And in those places they hang icons in pride of place, which remind them to pray there. It's not that they make heavy pious weather about them, it's that God is an integral part of their lives. 

Here is a lovely review of Angel at the Paradise Hotel

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

The writing in this book was phenomenal. The writing style has such a perfect flow with a great combination of dialogue and internal monologues. Beautifully written with good characters and dialogue. It's a very detailed book with interwoven characters with good character development. The driving force behind this though is the story, it moves effortlessly and is so engaging.

Wendy Black (Reviewer) | NetGalley  

Take a look inside or order Angel at the Paradise Hotel in the UK / In the US /In Singapore / In Australia /In New Zealand/ In Mexico/In Hong Kong/In Germany and Austria/In Brazil/

Load up your Kindle or grab a paperback! 

Find out more about the novel's Backstory on my dedicated blog

I'd love to hear from you. Here's a link to check out my website:  And you could leave your comments there if you prefer.  

Blessings,

Teresa x 

PS You may like to check out my other two books.

Living alongside Greeks for many years, their openness about living their religion really rubbed off on me. While living in Athens I wrote my book 9 Days to Heaven. The book shows very simple methods of opening out to the love of God, and welcoming Him into your everyday life. 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore  / In Australia / In Mexico/In Hong Kong/In Germany and Austria/

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

In Pray Then Listen I share more of my way of sharing my life with God. 

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  /In Singapore / In New Zealand / In Australia/ In Mexico/In Hong Kong/In Germany and Austria/In Brazil/

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!